Radio cabinet



N O S R E T E P A. c

RADIO CABINET 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 14, 1945 ILLIC .0T

Marsh 23? E95@ c. A. PETERSON RADIO CABINET v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1945 lllltlll lllll lllllllll Patented Mar. 28, 1950 UNITED STA'I'ES Schede PATENT OFFICE RADIO CABINET "Clyde A; :'PetersonyLewisburg, Pa., assign0r,1by mesne assignmentato Westinghouse Electric Corporation, acorporation of Pennsylvania Application April 14, 1945`,Selial`N0. 5882325 (Cl. B12-7) 7Claims.

This invention is* lconcerned with Ia 'cabinetzfor ia radio receiving set. :Primarily the cabinet is ladapted forthe accommodation-ofasmall compact set that `is easily'portablef'For its objects the cabinet airnstocombinawith an unusualdegree of eye appeal, 4.certain mechanical advantages, such as the use ofplural sections whichl are securely connected together to provide a protecting enclosure forlthe` receiving settherewithin,

:and which .may be conveniently disconnectedf when occasionrequires, to permit separationof one vsection fromzanotherwhereby to afford ample and ready-access tothe interior. of the cabinet. .Facile installation or removal of the receiving'setwithin or from .the cabinet is falsoan` objzective'that is attainedby` thefnovcl featuresof Yconstruction herein tobe disclosed.

By using one material for one cabinet section, and a dilerent 'material for another, it is :possible to combine `certain specially advantageous' properties of each in the cornpleted'tcabinet.- For rvexample, as herein illustrated, the; cabinet may v comprise a Icentersection of-'sheet lmetalewhich,

by a stamping operation or otherwise isformed with a speaker grille,` dial opening-,- ornamental ribs or beads, Ventilating louvers, .etcu'this' cene ter section being extended around to provide a front, top, back and part bottom; a-ndinicombination with sucha center section,.a.pair of sides (or ends) which may be V'convenientlyproduced' from some appropriate plastic composition, one of the -sides which aiords va verticalmounting for the chassis ofthe receiving set-,being :joined tothe opposite side and; cooperating therewith. to

secure the center .section immovablyin places,y

Each cabinet side is, by preference, -flangedfalong the iront, top, rear andbottom, whereby it is interiorly -recessed toxcommunicate with the space within the center section .andcompleteztheprotecting .enclosure `for the receiving set which is. aixed in place-therewithin.

. ,Also with such acabinettmay provide afbail which is mounted to remainc'downout 'fof .the

way when not needed, 'butv toAbe swung upwardly to a convenient carrying .-position, whenever'it is desired to .transport-:the cabinet from ,one place to another. -the bail being-attachedvtothe cabinet sides at points adjacent ,y the tops 1' thereof ,in a manner which is both sturdy and secure. Avcabinet which incorporates these various :features of` construction may vdepart from the usual ,designs which rhave, prevailed in l.small portable sets to `provide alongest 4dimension which is vertical whereby tominimizethetable or. mantelareare- V,ouiredior accommodationof the. cabinet..-A In thedesignfof the present cabinet greater latitude is afforded .for ,theiembodiment of original A and artistic eye-appealingconcepts, both in thefcenter section and-inthe sidesfbecause inthe production fthereof Aeach is a separateentity' and is fashionedirniependentlyl of the others.' Allthese special andunusual points of interest and' advantages will fully appear'hereinafter vfrom the-succeeding 'description and accompanying drawings w-hich illustrate a suggestive embodiment: ofmy invention in the-manner following:

Fig. 1 is a top plan viewfofthe cabinet; Fig. 2 is airont elevation thereof: Fig. 3 :is an enlargeddetail in section,ltaken.on

.the line3-3 of Fig. 2;

. Fig. 4 which is a -front elevation of the-cabinet (.ona scale smallervthan in Fig; 2) shows the center section separated from the two sides in a position these partsfwould occupy inthe process of .being assembled;

- Fig. 5 is adetail 'in :vertical section, taken on :line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionthroughthecabinet, .taken onlineS-G of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 'l is a detailin-section, taken on line -1--1 of Figp;

Fig. 8 is a detail in section, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is afdetail in section, taken online 9-9 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 is a. detail Ain section, `taken on-.line lll-40 of Fie. 6.

The cabinet comprisestwo-sides A and B,Ade sirably-of plastic material, 'having flanged walls a, and b, respectively, which :extend towardeach other whereby tofprovide confronting` interior recesses. AlSbetWeen-the two sides, when spaced apart for the purpose,.is interposed an .interi'itting center section C comprising frontend back walls ic-and d, respectively, `both extending the full .cab-

. inet height .and then` toward each other to form av center` topy and partial .bottom 'for the cab inet. vAs shown, the 4cabinetheight exceeds `its other dimensions, and because ofV this circumstance certain special vfeatures have been incorporfa-ted in its construction, as will :later appear.

- At' the bottomthe vcenter section front and .back walls are separatedv by a gap whichv is v'bridged bya Ventilating vstrip e of insulating ymateriaL-suchaas bakelite, rivets` It or `other suitable devices connectingthis-strip thereto. At the top the front and back .walls of the Ycenter lsection are connected 4directly to eath other, as by rivets ll which extend through overlappingedges at .lthelbottom of a transverse channelfl'Z formed by suitable bends in the material for this purpose. This channel extends transversely across the top opposite a pair of bosses |3 formed on the side sections A and B, each boss being provided with a socket which faces the other. As shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, the center section is formed with an out-turned marginal lip |5 for engagement within marginal shoulders of the side flanges whereby to provide a continuous intert between the several cabinet sections. At its point of juncture with the sides the center section is desirably inset slightly for appearance sake (see Figs. 1 and 2).

The center front wall c may be formed with a plurality of parallel openings separated by channel bars 2| to give the impression of depth, whereby to provide an ornamental grille to the rear of which may be supported a fabric sheet (not shown), in accordance with usual practice. The speaker S, forming part of the receiving set, is located to the rear of the grille (see Fig. 6). Also an opening 22 is formed through this front wall to expose a movable dial 23 upon its rear face, or to accommodate a movable pointer shaft if a stationary dial is to be displayed visibly upon the front face of the cabinet. Through the flanged walls of the sides I may also provide openings 24 through which control shafts are extended from a radio receiving set within the cabinet interior to the exterior thereof for operation by knobs 25 which are mounted at the shaft extremities.

The center back wall d near its upper end is transversely inset at to provide a recess wherein may be accommodated wholly or partially a handle 3| which conveniently may be formed around a wire 32 having parallel end extensions 33. This wire constitutes a bail concerning which further details will be given later. The center back wall d may be provided with a plurality of Ventilating openings 34, and similar openings 35 are provided at the top. At the cabinet bottom is a thimble 36 through which are extended wires w forming the electrical connection between the receiving set within the cabinet and a source of current to the outside thereof.

The bail wire extensions are desirably of oval cross section (see Fig. 9) with horizontal major axes thereby adapting them better for reception within shallow branch channels 40 which are formed in the center section top. The bail handle 3| may be formed at one or both ends with a concavity (see Fig. 8) for releasable engagement by a spring detent 4| here shown as a bullet catch, whereby the bail will normally be held at its down position upon the cabinet top with which it harmonizes inconspicuously. Opposite the handle is a shaft or rod to which the wire extensions of the bail are joined, this shaft extending across the cabinet top to occupy a position partially or wholly within the transverse channel i2, and being of reduced diameter at its ends to form a pair of trunnions 46. Bearings for these trunnions are provided by the bosses |3 which are protruded only slightly above the top surface of the cabinet top, one upon each cabinet side. Each boss socket may receive one trunnion which is extended through a bearing tting to be supported thereby, each such tting being afxed, as by a screw 5|, to a lug 52 which depends from the top of the cabinet side, preferably integral therewith, and being further interlocked with this lug as by a pair of arms 53 in underlying embracing relation with shoulders 54 which are extended oppositely therefrom. By such a mounting for the bail, the cabinet may be suspended for portability, the load at the cabinet top being distributed through a region which is reinforced both by added thickness and by the bearing fittings which engage with the underside of the depending lugs.

The cabinet interior is specially constructed to facilitate interconnection of the two sides and intervening center section, also to provide a vertical mounting for the receiving set within one of the cabinet sides. For this purpose the anged walls a and b of the sides are properly proportioned and spaced, and also reinforced as by ribs 55 (see Fig. 6) some of which converge toward a hub 56 through which is an opening to receive the threaded shank 51 of a screw whose head is adapted to engage the exterior face of the side A. Certain reinforcing ribs 66 define a rectangle having adjacent one or more corners an angle rest 6| within which may be fitted one corner of the chassis R of the radio receiving set. Locating bosses 62 are also extended inwardly at spaced points to facilitate positioning of the center section C with respect to the side section when assembly takes place. The chassis comprises a plate 63 forming a platform through which is an opening to receive the threaded stud 64 extending from one end of a tie bar 65, here shown as of hexagonal cross section. In threaded connection with the stud 64 is a hollow post 66 extending from the chassis platform to the hub 56 for threaded connection with the screw shank 5l. By some such means as this-the tie bar 65, post 66 and screw shank 51-the chassis may be securely mounted in a fixed vertical position upon the seat provided by the ribs within the cabinet side A.

The tie bar extends crosswise within the cabinet to a second hub 10 formed interiorly of the other cabinet side B. Within the axial opening of this hub is secured the hollow interiorly threaded shank 1| of a screw whose head is adapted to engage the exterior face of the side B. The proximate end of the tie bar is formed with a threaded stud 'I2 which enters the hollow screw for engagement thereby, and mounted upon this stud at the end of the screw is an antenna '13, which becomes clamped immovably in place when the screw shank is rotatively adjusted for this purpose.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that my plural-section cabinet is possessed of special advantages. The sides, which may conveniently be produced or plastic material by a molding operation, will not require any exterior finish. One side may be formed to provide internally a reenforced seat for the chassis which is to be supported in a vertical position, and exteriorly both sides may be provided at the bottom with feet I5 whereon to stand the cabinet. The center section, made desirably of sheetmetal which is die-stamped and formed to shape, may have incorporated therein, without any additional operation, such features as Ventilating louvers, grille and dial openings, also an opening in which may be seated a medallion button 16. Any selected finish may be applied to such a center section.

Accessibility to the cabinet interior is also a noteworthy feature. This requires merely that one side be disconnected from the tie rod whereupon itis free to be removed. The entire chassis, together with all the parts mounted thereon, is then exposed for inspection. To remove the chasnicer-,cse

sis in its entiretyfrequires:onlythat the remainingside be disconnectedfrom. thepost. Theltie be suspended for carrying purposes is sodesigned as toiserve in an ornamentalcapacity. .In normal use, when the cabinet is supported upon ashelf,

tableVy or .-mantel, its rear side is not exposed-to' view. The bail handle, which then is in down position, remains'out of "sight,l All that remains in view are the two wires-33 and the .shaftfli 'to which'they are connected,.--these parts rbeing accommodated within the transverse and branch channels provided for this purpose in the top of the cabinet. The louvers between the wires 33 may also be fit into the scheme of ornamentation,

so that the utility aspects of these several parts are subordinated.

When the bail is swung up to suspend the cabinet therefrom, the connection with the cabinet top is reenforced adequately at that point by the extra thickness of material which forms depend* ing lugs, and by the bearing fittings which engage therewith in the bottom region of the lugs. There is accordingly a safe distribution of the forces which otherwise might tend to produce a disruption of the plastic material forming the top of the cabinet at its sides.

I claim:

1. A radio cabinet comprising a pair of spaced walls having flanges forming confronting interior recesses, one of said walls being adapted to afford a vertical mounting for a receiving set, an

intertting center section forming with said walls an enclosure and composed of a top wall and front and back walls extending downwardly from the top wall to the bottom of the cabinet, a pair of facing sockets, one formed in each spaced cabinet t:

tending over the top and downwardly -therefrom and providing a swinging lifting handle for the cabinet.

2. A radio cabinet comrising a pair of spaced walls having flanges forming confronting interior recesses, one of said walls being adapted to afford a vertical mounting for a receiving set, an intertting center section forming with said walls an enclosure and composed of a top wall and front and back walls extending downwardly from the top wall to the bottom of the cabinet, a pair of facing sockets, onev formed in each of said spaced cabinet walls at its top, a bail arranged exteriorly of the cabinet and having outturned trunnions, one receivable within each socket when the spaced cabinet walls are secured together, said bail extending over the top and downwardly therefrom and providing a swinging lifting hann die for the cabinet, and a fitting providing a bearing for each trunnion secured to each of said spaced cabinet walls adjacent the socket for sustaining the cabinet load when supported by the bail.

3. A radio cabinet comprising a pair of spaced walls having flanges forming confronting interior recesses, one of said walls being adapted to aiord a vertical mounting for a receiving set, an interfltting center section forming with said walls an enclosure and composed of a top wall and front and back walls extending downwardly from the top wall to the bottom of the cabinet, said 6 center: section being provided' vat the -,back "with areces's and having spaced branch channelsextending upwardly from" the recess tothe top of fthe. cabinet and rpart'iallyacross theltop thereof,

said center .sectionbeing .provided at the top adjacent the upperftermin'als of the'channels with a transverse channel, a pair of facing sockets,

"one formed in each of said spacedcabinet. walls adjacent the 'ends of the transverse' channel anda bail comprising a shaft having trunnions located in said sockets, two arms joined to the shaft and receivable within the branch :channels and extending` along the 'same to said recess,v and a handle interconnectingthe arms at their .rear ends and receivable within said recess vand adapted to `provide a swinging lifting ,handle rfor the cabinet.

4. Aradio cabinet'comprising apair ofspaced wallshaving'. flanges. forming confronting interior recesses, one' of said walls being adapted to aord a vertical mounting for a receiving set, an interfitting center section forming with said walls an enclosure and composed of a top wall and front and back walls extending downwardly from the top wall to the bottom of the cabinet, said center section being provided at the back with a recess and having spaced branch channels extending upwardly from the recess to the top of the cabinet and partially across the top thereof, said center section being provided at the top adjacent the upper terminals of the channels with a transverse channel, a pair of facing sockets, one formed in each of said spaced cabinet walls adjacent the ends of the transverse channel, a bail comprising a shaft arranged in the transverse channel and having trunnions located in said sockets, two arms joined to the shaft and receivable within the branch channels and extending along the same to said recess, and a handle interconnecting the arms at their rear ends and receivable within said recess and adapted to provide a swinging lifting handle for the cabinet, and a detent located at said socket and arranged to engage said handle to retain the same in the socket.

5. A radio cabinet comprising a pair of spaced vertical sides, one of the sides affording a support for a receiving set, an intertting central section arranged between said sides and forming with the same an enclosure, and transverse fastening means connecting said vertical sides and releasably securing the same and the central section together, said transverse fastening means extending through the chassis of the receiving set and composed of separable sections having a clamping engagement with said chassis, whereby the receiving set is secured in a fixed vertical position to one of the sides of the cabinet.

6. A radio cabinet comprising a pair of spaced vertical sides having flanges forming confronting interior recesses, one of the sides affording a mounting for a receiving set, an interitting central section arranged between said sides and forming with the same an enclosure, a pair of facing sockets carried by the sides of the cabinet, a handle arranged between said sockets and having portions tting within the same, whereby the handle is interlocked with the sides of the cabinet, and transverse fastening means connecting the sides of the cabinet and releasably securing the two cabinet sides and the central section together and maintaining said handle in detachable interlocked relation with the sides of the cabinet.

'7. A radio cabinet comprising a pair of spaced vertical sides having anges forming confronting interior recesses, one of the sides affording amounting for a receiving set, an intertting central section arranged between said sides and forming with the same an enclosure, a pair of facing sockets carried by the sides of the cabinet, a handle arranged between said sockets and having portions fitting within the same, whereby the handle is interlocked with the sides of the cabinet, and transverse fastening means connecting the sides of the cabinet and releasably securing the same and the central section together, and extending through the chassis of the receiving set and having a clamping engagement with the same, whereby the receiving set is secured in a fixed position to one of the sides of the cabinet, said transverse fastening means also releasably maintaining the handle in interlocked relation with the sides of the cabinet.

CLYDE A. PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 695,741 Lease Mar. 18, 1902 1,521,650 Rudolph Jan. 6, 1925 2,158,641 Stenberg May 16, 1939 2,174,107 Kenney Sept. 26, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 740,612 France Nov. 21, 1932 774,352 France Sept. 17, 1934 

